School of Social Work

No. 28 M.S.W. Program in the U.S.

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Back stories: Named scholarships represent lost loved ones, legacy of care

The roots go back nearly three decades for three VCU School of Social Work scholarships that honor two former faculty members and an alumna. Family and friends have supported the legacy of these loved ones – and made a significant difference in the lives of current social work students – through the Pamela B. Nystrom Memorial […]

’73 classmates form volunteer dream team for social work fundraising campaign

Sherry Peterson (M.S.W.’73/SW) knew what a successful fundraising campaign looked like. Katharine Webb (M.S.W.’73/SW) was as connected an alumna as you could hope to find. Together, the VCU School of Social Work classmates – along with Sherry’s husband and fellow classmate, Bill (M.S.W.’73/SW) –  formed the perfect team, serving as volunteer chairs for the school’s […]

Going the distance: Colbys’ philanthropy will aid students from underserved populations

After earning his master’s degree at the VCU School of Social Work, Ira Colby, D.S.W. (M.S.W. ’75/SW), did a little bit of everything to make ends meet as a doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania. When a federal grant fell through a month before classes started, he took out student loans, worked with faculty […]

A proud alum, Odera returns to School of Social Work as director of field education

Stephanie Odera, Ed.D., keeps writing new chapters at the VCU School of Social Work. The two-time social work graduate (B.S.W.’04/SW; M.S.W.’06/SW), who also earned her doctorate of education from VCU in 2018, rejoined the school in October 2020 as the new director of field education. She has previously served at the school as an adjunct […]

Beckett and Purnell’s support increases student access by honoring an old friend

Joyce Beckett, Ph.D., laughs heartily and acknowledges that, yes, after all these years she is still an “autumn.” Beckett, who retired as professor in 2005 after 20 years at the VCU School of Social Work, is explaining how she became friends with Rita Schleuter (M.S.W.’88/SW) – and why she chose to fund a scholarship in […]

‘Essential for the future’: Biggerstaff’s gifts support doctoral research

As a graduate student in social work in the 1960s, Marilyn A. Biggerstaff was the beneficiary of the era’s ample federal grants, bolstered by the Higher Education Act of 1965. Times have changed. Forbes reported in early 2020 that student debt is a record $1.56 trillion – the second-highest consumer debt category in the country.  […]

Gilbreath’s giving helps students who want to follow in her macro footsteps

With a laugh, Allison Gilbreath (B.S.’11/GPA; M.S.W.’16/SW) explains that she’s a law school dropout. It turns out that macro social work was really the career she was looking for.  “Law school was the only pathway I knew to do what I know now as macro social work,” says Gilbreath, who was accepted to – but […]

‘True pioneer’: Schneider’s influence lives on in macro, gerontology

Robert “Bob” Schneider, Ph.D., was a big-picture guy, but one who never overlooked the details. Schneider, a former professor and assistant dean at the VCU School of Social Work for 34 years, passed away Sept. 4, 2020, at age 78.  For much of his professional life, the big picture was macro social work. Colleagues remember […]

Incoming ABSW president: ‘Change is NOW’

Felicia A. Smith earned her B.S.W. degree in May 2020 from the VCU School of Social Work and served as the B.S.W. graduation speaker during the virtual Commencement ceremony. She starts the master’s program in August 2020 and will serve as president of the Association of Black Social Workers, a student organization. In the last […]

Cage, Petrasek are school’s top award-winners

Jamie Cage, Ph.D., an assistant professor, has won the VCU School of Social Work’s annual Social Justice Award for the second consecutive year. Jaime Petrasek, director of research administration, has been named winner of the Outstanding Staff Award. She has been at VCU for 15 years, the past seven in social work. Cage, who has […]

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